Joe Pat Propes

Joe Pat Propes passed away November 16, 2021, after an 11-year, courageous battle with prostate cancer, at the age of 69. Services will be held at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco, Texas. Visitation will be Friday, November 19, from 6pm-8pm. The funeral will be at 10am on Saturday, November 20, with burial to follow at Waco Memorial Park. Pastor Roy Marshall is officiating the service. Pat was born September 19, 1952, in Longview, Texas, to Charlie Joe Propes and Jerry Satterwhite Propes. Pat was the second son born to that marriage. He attended public schools in Nederland, Texas, and graduated from high school in 1971. In 1976, Pat received his BBA in finance from Sam Houston State University. He was a four-year letterman for the Bearkats and was a proud alumnus. One of his favorite things to do was to keep up with the Bearkats; we could always depend on him to know who the Bearkats were playing next. One of his last great experiences was watching and cheering on the Bearkats as they went on to win the National Championship in the beginning of this year. He was so thrilled to see this happen; it brought him so much joy to share this experience with his wife and children. After college, Pat’s first job in the banking industry was with the First State Bank of Rio Vista, Texas, in Johnson County, in 1976. Later, he worked at Citizen’s National Bank of Waco, Texas. He worked in banking in the Waco-McLennan County area for 20-plus years. Pat decided to change career paths and returned to college enrolling at Baylor University in 1988 where he earned a master’s degree in education in May 1989. He then began a career as a teacher, coach, and administrator in the Texas public school system. Over the next 13 years he was a teacher and coach in Clifton and Killeen ISD, and then an administrator in Midway ISD in Waco, Quitman ISD, Magnolia ISD and, finally, in Anderson Shiro ISD. It was during Pat’s time at Midway ISD, he met and married the love his life, Tricia Grisham. Pat and Tricia were married in August of 2004 and were happily married for 17 years. Pat retired from education in 2008 and began a career in real estate with Tricia. Pat was a lifelong Baptist and a current member of First Woodway Baptist Church. He loved being out in God’s creation whether he was hunting, fishing or just sitting still watching the trees. He also very much enjoyed being in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. Pat relished spending time with his children and grandchildren and always looked forward to cousin camp each summer. Pat was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and faithful friend. He is preceded in death by his father, Charlie Joe Propes; and sister, Tere Parson. He is survived by his mother Jerry; his wife Tricia of Waco; daughters, Traci Larrison, Jeri Hall and husband Pete, Lauren Kresta and husband Shad, Ashley Strickland and husband Willie; and his son, Ryan Brown and wife Rachel. He is also survived by his brothers Mike Propes and wife Marsha, Tim Propes and wife Carla; and brother-in-law, Tony Foley . Surviving grandchildren are Connor Jeffers, Judson Tighe, McKenzi Brown, Rylie May, Cort Strickland, Campbell Jane Hall, Charley Hall, Dylan Kresta and Carter Joe Strickland (Jan 2022). The family would like to thank all the special doctors, nurses, and caregivers that we were so blessed to have over the years. Dr. John Arujio and Dr. Patrick Pilie at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Hitesh Singh and Dr. Dominic Nguyen at McClinton Cancer Center in Waco, and all their supporting staff members who had a part in Pat’s care over the years. We are also very thankful for the love, support, and care Pat received from Bluebonnet Hospice over the last four months. Pallbearers are Connor Jeffers, Judson Tighe, Cort Strickland, Blake Landrum, Will Landrum and Hayden Landrum. Honorary pallbearers are Gary A. McDonnel, Chuck Viladevall, Steve Allbritton, Mark Gibson, Stephen Gibson, John T. Willson, Dr. Jerry P. Smith, David Shellenberger, and all of Pat’s Sam Houston State football teammates. Memorials can be made to First Woodway Baptist Church, McClinton Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Sam Houston State University Athletic Scholarship Fund, or the Baylor University general scholarship fund. The family invites you to share a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39